M A I N   N E W S

Muharram procession tear-gassed
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, April 16 — One person was seriously injured when the police lobbed tear-gas shells in the Lal Chowk area here today to disperse a Muharram procession in defiance of the prohibitory orders. Muharram processions in other areas of the city, including the Lal Bazaar area were held peacefully and also in other Shia-dominated areas of the valley.

Groups of Shia Muslims attempted to hold out processions in the Maisuma and the in Maulana Azad Road area this morning that were foiled by the police. The police lobbed tear-gas shells at the Moulana Azad Road around 11 a.m. when a group of youths appeared near the Polo Grounds and tried to take out a procession in violation of the prohibitory orders.

Hilal Ahmad was seriously injured when hit by a tear gas shell. He was admitted to SMHS hospital here where his condition was stated to be critical. The police also arrested over 10 protesters in a this action. Another group of Shia Muslims led by Agha Mehdi a Shia leader and an activist of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) was held near Women’s College, Moulana Azad Road. The police lobbed tear-gas shells and used batons to disperse the protesters. Agha Mehdi along with a group of his associates was held by the police to prevent the procession in the area. A group of youths also tried to hold a procession in the Maisuma area.

There were reports of Muharram processions from various parts of the valley, including the Shia dominated Budgam district in central Kashmir. A number of tazia processions were held in these areas.

Prohibitory orders are in force against any kind of processions in the Lal Chowk area, to prevent untoward incidents. No such processions have been held in the area over the past several years.

According to a PTI report 57 Shia youths were taken into custody by the police when they tried to take out a Muharram procession in violation of the prohibitory orders in the city.